Concentration of trace metals in some major edible oils of riyadh

Abstract

Chemical elements play major roles in various metabolic processes in the human body. Moreover, some of these elements are toxic if consumed in excessive quantities. In this study, a total of 11 elements (Mn+2, Fe+2, Cu+2, Cr+3, Zn+2, Ni+2, Se, Pb+2, As+3, and Al+3) were studied in edible vegetable oil samples by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The concentration of the metals was found to be in trace level lower than the maximum allowable concentration limit set by the World Health Organization as well as the recommended daily intake of metals. Pearson cor-relation coefficients showed strong correlations between Cr and Fe (0.998), Cr and Mn (0.994), Cr and Ni (0.985), Fe and Mn (0.994), Fe and Ni (0.985), Mn and Ni (0.978), and As and Se (0.997). It can be concluded that the edible vegetable oil samples were free of any chemical element contamination.